Philip Rivers connects with Danny Woodhead on a 6 yard pass play that was initially called a touchdown but reversed. The chargers failed to convert a touchdown after this play settling for a field goal then losing in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

Philip Rivers connects with Danny Woodhead on a 6 yard pass play that was initially called a touchdown but reversed. The chargers failed to convert a touchdown after this play settling for a field goal then losing in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

Philip Rivers connects with Danny Woodhead on a 6 yard pass play that was initially called a touchdown but reversed. The chargers failed to convert a touchdown after this play settling for a field goal then losing in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

Keenan Allen is unable to reach this pass at the end of the 4th quarter as David Amerson defends. Chargers would have to settle for a fieldgoal to tie the game, then went on to lose in overtime 30-24.
— Sean M. Haffey

Chargers v. Redskins, 11/3/2013

The Redskins stuffed Danny Woodhead on first-and-goal, the snap coming 24 inches from the goal-line.

Philip Rivers followed with two incompletions, and the Chargers settled for a field goal that forced overtime.

Washington won the coin flip and drove 78 yards for a game-winning touchdown.

Weak faith in Mathews: Ryan Mathews seemed healthy. He'd rushed for 100 yards in each of the previous two games.

But he didn't get the ball on the final series of regulation. Woodhead was the running back for most of the last drive.

Woodhead is better than Mathews in the passing game and is a good runner, and had nearly scored a winning TD in getting the Chargers to the 1. The blocking wasn't good.

But Mathews is the Chargers back with the best combination of speed and power. The previous game, at Jacksonville, he had notched his first rushing TD since Week 5 last year. Playcaller Ken Whisenhunt said Thursday he trusts Mathews in all aspects of the offense. It looks like the coaches still don't fully trust Mathews in the red zone, however.

Pass defense fails: Robert Griffin III often threw with great accuracy. His pass-catchers, led by receiver Pierre Garcon (172 yards) and rookie tight end Jordan Reed, made catches in traffic and held the ball through tough hits.

But the Chargers seldom forced Griffin out of his first pass option. They were late in making plays on the ball. Once again, a zone-read offense led by a speedy quarterback kept San Diego's defense off balance.

Playoff picture: The Jets (5-4) moved past the Chargers (4-4) in the wild-card race. The Titans (4-4) pulled even with the Dolphins (4-4) and Chargers (Tennessee beat San Diego in Week 3, giving it a tie-breaker edge). The Chiefs (9-0) widened their lead in the AFC West.

Power's value: The Redskins have developed multiple running backs who run with power in the red zone. Fullback Darrel Young is one of them. He ran for three touchdowns, including the game-winner.

The Chargers need to develop a power dimension for near the end zone. At some point, they need to give Mathews more chances to show he can protect the ball in the red zone.

Chargers developing D-line depth: In recent months, Tom Telesco found players at the 99 Cent Store. Now, they're making plays within San Diego's defensive line. Lawrence Guy is a ball-swatting end claimed off waivers from the Colts last month. He made the game's two biggest plays through the first 17 minutes. Sean Lissemore is another end; Telesco dealt a seven-round draft pick (2015) for him nine days before the season opener. Lissemore caught Guy's deflection for a touchdown. Resourceful work is making SanDiego's depth better than expected, as detailed a few days ago.

Fox out vs. Chargers: Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, when the Chargers and Broncos (7-1) meet for the first time this year, Broncos coach John Fox isn't expected to participate. Fox will be out 4-6 weeks relating to an aortic valve procedure (per FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer). The last two seasons Fox directed Denver to the AFC West title. The Chargers lost both games against Denver last year.